SAN ANGELO – The No. 11 Angelo State softball team will open its season by hosting the George McCorkle Challenge at Mayer Field starting from Friday, Feb. 6 to Sunday, Feb. 8.

The Rambelles will face Colorado School of Mines, Northwestern State Oklahoma State, St. Edward's, and Texas A&M-International during the three day tournament. ASU went 23-5 last season at Mayer Field on its way to a 41-16 overall record and qualified for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional for the eighth consecutive year. ASU is 11-2 in season openers since 2002 and 12-1 in home openers.

Head coach of the Rambelles Travis Scott will start his 12^th season at Angelo State and 15^th overall. He has a career overall record of 597 wins and 496 have come at ASU. With three wins he would become the 27^th active coach and 48^th all-time in Division II history to reach 600 career victories. Scott's .737 winning percentage is currently 11^th best all-time and the eighth best among active coaches. 

The Belles will have six starters and two All-Americans returning to the squad. The team consists of four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and eight freshmen.

Darian Dunn, a first team NFCA and Daktronics All-American selection in 2014, was the statistical champion in total runs batted in and runs batted in per game. She recorded 95 RBIs were 16 more than the closest competitor and it was the fifth most in a single season in NCAA Division II history. The 95 RBIs broke the ASU and LSC single season records as well. She averaged 1.67 RBIs per game to go along with her .411 average. Dunn led the team with 17 home runs while also recording at least two RBIs in 26 games. Dunn was named to the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year Watch List.

Micherie Koria was third-team All-American honors on the NFCA team and an honorable mention selection on the Daktronics All-American team at second base. The senior has now changed positions to centerfielder. She was second on the team with a .424 while recording nine doubles and scored 61 runs on the year. She drew 22 walks and led the Rambelles with 29 stolen bases and 13 hit-by-pitches. She also laid down a team high 13 sacrifice bunts. The San Diego native finished with a .529 on-base percentage and a .507 slugging percentage. 

Kenedy Urbany was a NFCA All-Region first team utility player-pitcher and Daktronics All-Region designated player in 2014.  The sophomore hit .338 with 10 doubles and nine home runs as a freshman. She recorded 43 RBIs and scored 33 runs. The Helotes native drew 29 walks and had a .420 on-base percentage. In the circle, she went 21-4 with a 3.40 earned-run average. She led the team with 92 strikeouts. Urbany was named to the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year Watch List as well.

Rachel Moore will enter her third season as a starter in right field. She hit .329 last season with 10 doubles and 15 home runs. The Katy native scored 40 runs and recorded 51 RBIs. Moore ended the season with a .659 slugging percentage and a on-base clip of .420.

Ambra Hill will return in the infield for her junior season. She has shifted over to second base and the left side of the plate. The Big Spring native started the season on the right side of the plate but switched to a slapper and hit .362. She recorded 46 hits and scored 41 runs while stealing 14 bases.

Megan Granado could see time at multiple positions this season. The senior was behind the plate all of last season. The Lubbock native hit .302 with 12 doubles and six home runs. She tallied 39 hits and batted in 33 runs. She ended the season with a .984 fielding percentage and caught 20 batters stealing.

Lanie Robinson, who was limited to just 20 games last season due to an injury, returns to the field at third base. She drew 10 walks in those 20 games and had six hits.

Kelly Johnson and Katlyn Herzog will both come off the bench at multiple positions this season.

ASU has a new crop of talent that will have an immediate impact on the team.

Madison Greenwell will step into a starting role in right field. The freshman from Flower Mound has speed and scored 40 runs at a senior last year at Flower Mound Marcus. She could also see time in the circle for ASU.

Ciara Sheppard is penciled into the shortstop position. The Midland native was a two-time district MVP and was named all-state twice.

Brandy Marlett will be another impactful freshman. The pitcher was 27-18 with a 0.84 earned run average in her career at Rancho High in Las Vegas. She went 9-1 with a 0.73 ERA as a senior and was selected as pitcher of the year.

Amber Rendon, Lauryn Donnelly, Brooke Mangold, Kylie Love and Camry Weinheimer will also see action this season. Weinheimer could play various positions including catcher, first base and outfield.  

ASU's first opponent will be Colorado School of Mines who went 20-25 last year. This will be the season opener for the Orediggers. CSM returns its top hitter in Paige Noehring and top pitcher Kristen Prudhomme. Noehring hit .500 last year while Prudhomme was18-19 in the circle. It will be the third all-time meeting between the two school with ASU holding a 2-0 advantage.

Texas A&M-International is 0-2 on the season after dropping a doubleheader to Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Dustdevils went 20-36 a season ago. ASU is 25-1 all-time against TAMIU.

St. Edward's is 0-2 on the season after dropping a doubleheader to Texas A&M-Commerce. SEU was 33-26 last year and advanced to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional hosted by ASU. The Hilltoppers bring back pitchers Sarah Debrow and Katelyn Klug. Breah Whitten is hitting .500 to lead the team so far this season. ASU leads series 38-14 and have won the last three matchups.

Northwestern Oklahoma State will come in on Sunday for two games. The Rangers open the season on Friday against UT-Permian Basin. NWOSU was 41-15 last season with 79 combined home runs. The Rangers have Shelby Anderson and Lindsay Thorsetenson, who both hit 17 home runs last season, back this season. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

The Rambelles second game at 3:15 p.m. on Friday and Sunday's 4:30 p.m. game will be carried locally on 1260AM KKSA.